Summary: Telecommuting has significantly changed the housing market in Washington State. One of the top ten states for at-home workers in America, More people than ever before are
working from home in Washington State. Millennials especially are increasingly more likely to join what is becoming known as the “gig” economy. Borrowing its name from the classic musician’s “gig” and instead referring to freelance, remote contract work. In addition to “gig” work, there are a rapidly growing number of home office-based workers that are employed by major companies as long term team members with benefits and retirement packages. Some at-home workers own and operate there own web-based businesses.
Benefits Of Working From Home
There are many advantages to working at home. For one thing, there’s generally no one breathing down your neck, so It’s much less stressful. Getting rid of the commute is definitely an added value that has a positive impact on the environment and your wallet. You may even pay less income tax. Currently, the IRS allows tax deductions for home office expenses.
Homeworkers can find clients online and work from anywhere with an internet connection. With such a flexible schedule, there may be opportunities for a working vacation while still maintaining a strong internet presence. They can maintain business efforts (even at a reduced level) while taking a little time off in-between to enjoy themselves. A lot of folks work from home in an effort to spend more time with the family. There’s no feeling that can replace being there for your children when they get home from school.
Staging A Home With An Office
Staging a home for sale is a very popular and effective technique used by real estate agents and homeowners alike in Washington State. Staging not only beautifies the home making it ready for viewing, but statistics also show staging may actually improve the sale price and urgency once negotiations begin to take place. Staging may also help sell the home more quickly by making it attractive to more potential buyers. Staging starts with cleaning and organizing to make the home spotless, then strategically decorating the rooms to make them look functional and attractive. When staging a home for sale, you can increase its appeal by setting up a room as a functional home office. Choose a room with a view if possible; it should be bright and comfortable to entice buyers who may want to work from home.
Buying A Home With An Office
When shopping for a home be on the lookout. Consider purchasing one that has an extra room or a convenient space that can easily be converted into a home office. Your home office generally doesn’t have to be a huge space, just an effective one. Give some real thought to the layout and design of the home as you will not only be living but also working in that space. The home office space should be in a quiet part of the home that creates a positive working environment where there are fewer chances for disturbance or interruption. Choose a room with propper storage so you can organize your workspace. Make sure to take lighting and power needs into account as you will be spending a good amount of time here. Lighting and power play a big part in home office productivity.
Working from home requires a certain amount of discipline. It’s best to have an established routine that encourages proper work habits in the home office space. Do your best to separate personal from your professional business. It can be easy to slip down the rabbit hole and waste precious professional time on tasks that should be left to personal time. Make sure you can “leave the office” at the end of your workday. Avoid the temptation to overwork. It’s easy to work longer hours when the tools you need are so accessible. Don’t stress yourself out, set time limits for your working hours. If you are planning to have business guests and clients visit you in your home office you may need to acquire commercial insurance. Be sure to talk it over with your insurance agent and make the right decision for you and your business.
Bring It All Back Home
A home with a functional office space is very desirable and can be a big benefit when it comes time to sell your home. If you are thinking about selling your home or making a shift in your workspace, consider retrofitting your home with an office or staging it with one when its time to sell. If you are considering a home purchase, take a look at the layout. Give some thought to the benefits and possibilities of having room to use as a home office when viewing available homes for sale on the market.
If you are in the market for a home with space for a home office or maybe interested in refinancing your current property, contact the experts at Sammamish Mortgage. Do you have any questions about refinancing or obtaining a mortgage for your Washington State home purchase? Let the mortgage professionals at Sammamish Mortgage guide you. Family owned and operated for more than 25 years, we know what you value. Let us help you understand the ins and outs of home financing and more. Sammamish Mortgage offers a variety of loan programs including FHA and VA mortgages. Regardless of your situation, we can guide you through the process. If you have questions about securing a mortgage in Washington State, or would like a free rate quote, please contact our friendly staff. We look forward to serving you.
